PHUKET: Governor Chockchai Dejamornthan has set his sights on extending nightlife trading times for entertainment venues along Taina Rd in Karon, he revealed at a press conference at Provincial Hall yesterday (Feb 22).

Governor Chockchai confirmed that the official request for nightlife venues along Bangla Rd to stay open until 4 am was received by Ministry of Interior last week.

“The next area I would like to request for the Ministry of Interior to allow 4am closing is the entertainment zone on Taina Rd in Karon,” he said.

Of note, Taina Rd and Bangla Rd are the only recognised entertainment zones on the island. Nightlife venues in all other areas of the island, including Rawai, Kamala, Cherng Talay and Phuket Town, even if issued an entertainment license, are supposed to – by law – close at midnight.

“I think the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Mrs Kobkarn (Wattanavrangkul), will support this appeal for Phuket. Both entertainment areas are tourism nightlife attractions,” Gov Chockchai added.

A public hearing to gauge public support for extending the closing times on Taina Rd is expected to be held soon, Phuket Provincial Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) Thawornwat Khongkaew told The Phuket News.

“Gov Chockchai has repeatedly asked the Muang District Chief to hold a public hearing about this,” he said.

“The main reason is for tourists only. There are tourism entertainment areas other than Bangla Rd,” he added.

Regarding the request for Bangla Rd venues to stay open until 4am, Palad Thawornawt explained, “The next step is for Ministry of Interior officials to present this to their legal experts for consideration.”

The official request for to allow entertainment venues on along Bangla Rd only to stay open – and sell alcohol – until 4am was dispatched to Bangkok last Wednesday (Feb 15). (See story here.)

The move follows a crackdown earlier this month that saw scores of revellers in Phuket’s party town kicked out onto the tourist-flooded streets one night (see story here), and then bars and nightclubs deserted the next (see story here).

The raids enforced the current law that bars must close at midnight and nightclubs must close at 1am. These closing times are for venues inside Patong’s “entertainment zone”, which comprises Bangla Rd and extends 50 metres on either side thereof – venues elsewhere, depending on their entertainment license, are supposed to close earlier.

To this, Gov Chockchai last Thursday admitted he knew the problem had been a long time coming.

Thaina Rd. is empty of entertainment places and almost of the business are closed already long time , so what the reason of the late opening time ???

Sir Burr |
24 February 2017 - 07:29:11

@eric dekegel
Maybe re-read the article where it says this:-
"Of note, Taina Rd and Bangla Rd are the only recognised entertainment zones on the island".

kangaloowest |
24 February 2017 - 05:08:31

Kamala is dead by 9:30 pm.
Absolutely pointless to stay open after mid-night

Kurt |
23 February 2017 - 19:33:04

Wow, looks Phuket Governor likes to look for making legal what is illegal as soon as possible, before NACC can put the hands on it.
That the Governor already sees long time this 'problem' is coming is nonsense.
He hardly finds his way over the island.
Is more in China, Japan and Korea than on Phuket.
Looks like saving a lot of Phuket Government people of corruption charges.
Night ...

marcher |
23 February 2017 - 16:06:06

Cannot make comments here. First time Error 523 comes up (often ) second told to log in when I am always permanently logged in.Why the slip ups these days??

eric dekegel |
23 February 2017 - 15:11:28

Why not all over the island or are his friends only doing business in Patong kata karon?